Modus tenendi Parliamenta in Hibernia. Published out of an antient record by the Right Reverend Father in God, Anthony, Lord Bishop of Meath. To which is added the rules and customs of the House, gathered out of the Journal books from the time of Edward the Sixth, by H.S.E., C.P.

CHAP. VIII. Grand Committees, and their manner of Proceedings.

A Grand Committee consists of as many Members, at least, as constitute the House (less may not sit or act as a Committee) who have general Powers to consider of any Matters touching the subject Matter re∣ferred, and to present their Opinions therein to the House, the better to prepare Matters of that nature, or Bills therein, for the House; which may better be pre∣pared, by the liberty that every Member hath in a Grand Committee, as well as in other Committees, to speak more then once to the same Business (if there be¦cause) which is not permitted in the House.

But Grand Committees have their Powers and Rules, in other Circumstances, given them in express words by the House; as, to send for Witnesses, to hear Council, or assign them on either part, to send for Records; which appears by several Motions made in the Parlia∣ment 21. Jacobi. Sir Robert Phelips (a person of much Experience in the Course and Orders of Parliament) moved the House from the Grand Committee for Courts of Justice, that they might have Power in the particu∣lars aforesaid.

8. Martii. and 13. Martii in the same Parliament, upon Report from the Committee aforesaid, (which then was a Grand Committee) the House was moved for their Order to the Merchant Adventurers to bring in their Patents, and that the Inventor of the preter∣mitted Customs should attend the Committee.

15. Maij. 22. Jacobi, Upon complaint from the Grand Committee for Grievances, that they had sent several Warrants for divers Persons to bring in their Patents, which they had not done; The House Orde∣red the Serjeant at Arms to be sent for them.

When any great business is in agitation that requires much Debate, or a Bill for a publick Tax is to be Com∣mitted, the House doth use to resolve it self into a Grand Committee of the whole House; which is done by a question, and then the Speaker leaves his Chair: and thereupon the Commitee (which must consist of as great a Number as Constitutes a House, as is before declared) makes choise of a Chair-man, in which case, if more then one be generally called to the Chair, any Member may stand up, and by consent of the Com∣mittee, put a question for one of those named to be the Chair-man.

19 Jacobi, A dispute being in the Committee, which of two Members named should go to the Chair, the Speaker was called to his Chair, and put the question, That Sir Edward Coke (who was one of the persons na∣med) should take the Chair, and then the Speaker left his Chair.

The Chair-man of the Grand-Committee is to sit in the Clerks place at the Table, and to write the Votes of the Committee.

If upon putting a question, the Chair-man (who is to judge by the Voices) have delivered his Opinion that the Yea's have it, and any Member stand up and say, He believes the No's have it, (or contrariwise) the Committee is to divide within the House; the Chair-man directing the Yea's to go that side of the House, that is on the one hand, and the No's to the o∣ther side, and then he is to appoint one of each to count the numbers and report them; which is to be done in the same order as in the House, saving that the Obeysance is only twice in the Committee, thrice in the House. If the numbers be equal, the Chair∣men hath a casting voice, otherwise he hath no voice in the Committee.

When the Committee hath gone through the Mat∣ter referred to them the Chair-man having read all the Votes, is to put the Question, that the same be reported ••he House: if that be resolved, He is to

leave the Chair, and the Speaker being again called to the Chair, (or at the next Sitting of the House if it be then adjourned) the Chair-man is to report what hath been resolved at the Committee, standing in his usual place, from whence (if it be not in the seat next the Floor) he is to go down to the Bar, & so to bring up his Report to the Table.

If the Committee cannot perfect the business at that Sitting, they may not adjourn as other Commit∣tees; but a Question is to be made for Reporting to the House, and that leave be asked, that the Com∣mittee may sit at another time on that Business.

But if, as some times it falls out, the Matter hath received a full debate in the Committee, and it is judged fit to be resolved in the House, the Speaker is again called to the Chair for that purpose.

In other things then as aforesaid, the Rules of Pro∣ceedings are to be the same as are in the House.

4. Junii, 1607. Agreed for a Rule.

1. Every Question upon the voices of a Committee bindeth, and cannot be altered by themselves.

2. Every thing directed and agreed to be Reported, ought to be accordingly Reported; but not every thing spo∣ken or debated at a Committee.

28. July, 1641. Declared by the House, that no Committee ought by Vote to determin the Right or Pro∣perty of the Subject, without first acquainting the House therewith.

6. Aug. 1641. Resolved, That no Vote past at a Committee, and not Reported nor confirmed by the House shall be any Rule, or Direction for any Court of Justice in Westminister-Hall to ground any Proceedings thereon.